Government representatives will hold a joint public hearing tonight to discuss a plan to lure jobs to Jackson Township, Plain Township, Canton and North Canton.

The proposed agreement designates land in the townships for shared development. The land in question runs north of 38th Street NW between Whipple Avenue NW and the railroad. At the intersection of the railroad and Whipple Avenue NW, the railroad tracks become the western boundary of the land, and the western edge of Plain Township becomes the eastern boundary, stretching to the Summit County border.

If the plan is approved, the cities and townships will market the land to businesses and give them the option of creating joint economic development districts. The income tax from the businesses that plant there would then be split equally among both cities and the township in which the businesses are located.

Townships on their own cannot collect income tax.

The tax would only apply to new businesses, not existing ones.

Under the plan, no land would be annexed, and no public safety services would change.

Officials have said the agreement lays the groundwork for future cooperation among local governments.